EP0088768A1

EP0088768A1 - Combination lock, particularly for a safe.

Info

Publication number: EP0088768A1
Application number: EP82902526A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roger Parlier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-09-11
Filing date: 1982-09-01
Publication date: 1983-09-21
Also published as: ES8307969A1; IT1152398B; BR8207860A; ES515639A0; CA1247878A; DE3272318D1; PT75511A; PT75511B; JPS58501777A; IT8223217A0; WO1983000897A1; EP0088768B1

Abstract

L'arbre de commande (114) d'un verrou est bloqué par un doigt (124) maintenu en position d'arrêt, à l'encontre de l'action d'un ressort de rappel (125), par une pièce d'arrêt (127) elle-même soumise à l'action de quatre bagues de verrouillage (128, 129, 130 et 131). Ces dernières sont réparties en deux jeux dans chacun desquels les bagues sont engagées l'une sur l'autre, ces deux jeux étant disposés l'un à la suite de l'autre. Il faut, pour que l'arbre (114) puisse être libéré, que les quatre bagues (128 à 131) occupent une position angulaire dans laquelle une encoche (137) que présente leur tranche faisant face aux bagues de l'autre jeu soit située en regard de la pièce (127). Les bagues (128 à 131) sont commandées par des taquets (143 à 147) solidaires d'un bouton de commande (138).The control shaft (114) of a lock is blocked by a finger (124) held in the stopped position, against the action of a return spring (125), by a piece of stop (127) itself subjected to the action of four locking rings (128, 129, 130 and 131). The latter are distributed in two sets in each of which the rings are engaged one on the other, these two sets being arranged one after the other. It is necessary, so that the shaft (114) can be released, that the four rings (128 to 131) occupy an angular position in which a notch (137) that has their edge facing the rings of the other set is located opposite the part (127). The rings (128 to 131) are controlled by tabs (143 to 147) integral with a control button (138).

Description

LOCK AT C0MBINAIS0N, ESPECIALLY FOR SAFE

The present invention relates to a combination lock, in particular for a safe.

Locks of this type are already known, used for example on the individual safes of banks intended for customers and comprising at least two independent opening mechanisms.

The object of the present invention is to produce a lock of this type, but having increased security and designed to allow simplified manufacture. The increased security is achieved by the fact that the suit cannot be detected with a stethoscope. The simplified and rational design reduces the costs of manufacturing parts and assembly.

For this purpose, the lock according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a frame which is fixed in a leaf, a rotary member actuating at least one bolt for closing said leaf, a stop device, movable radially with respect to said rotary actuator for the bolt which is capable of occupying two positions, one eclipsed in which the rotary actuator is free to rotate, and the other for working in which it cooperates with the organ rotary actuator to block it, and locking members of the stop device keeping it in its working position, these locking members being constituted by coaxial rotary rings having, on their edge, a notch which must be located opposite said stop device so that it can move freely from its eclipsed position to its working position and vice versa; these rings being furthermore provided with clearances giving passage to at least one control lug which can be actuated manually, which makes it possible to bring them into their position for releasing the stop piece, said clearances being of different dimensions so that, according to the amplitude of the movement given to the control lug, a different number of said rings is then actuated. The present invention will be better understood with reference to the description of exemplary embodiments and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the lock according to the invention along the line I-I of FIG. 2, certain parts being partially disassembled,

Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of the lock along line II-II of FIG. 1,

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 1,

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view along line IV-IV of FIG. 2,

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view along the line V-V of FIG. 2,

Figure 6 is an axial sectional view of another embodiment of the combination lock according to the invention, certain members of this lock, located in planes other than those of the section, having been brought into it for the clarity of the drawing,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view perpendicular to its axis, passing through several different planes,

FIG. 8 is an axial section of a detail of the lock, in another working position than that of FIGS. 6 and 7, and

Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of those details of the lock according to Figs. 6 to 8.

The lock illustrated in fig. 1 to 5 is intended for closing a small wall safe and is housed in the door or removable shutter of this safe. This lock co-npends a front wall 1 provided with a central bore, and a body 2 fixed on this front wall 1 using screws 3 (right side of fig. 2) or bayonet lock (left side of fig. 2).

The body 2 has a central recess in which are housed the elements of two opening devices, one external and the other internal.

The external opening device comprises a hollow operating button 4, emerging on the front face of the wall 1 through its central bore. This operating button 4 is integral with a manufacturing part provided with a cylindrical skirt 5, the upper edge of which is provided with a notch 6 whose sides 7 are inclined and constitute cooperating cams, as will be seen more away, with a lock 8 constituted by a rectangular bar subjected to the action of a spring 9, tending to apply it against the upper edge of the skirt 5, bearing on a closure plate 10 screwed into the body 2 using screws 11.

The base of the skirt 5 is provided with a toothing 12 on at least part of its periphery, cooperating with a finger 13 subjected to the action of a spring 14. This finger 13 and this toothing 12 constitute a device for snap-in to define the different angular positions that the button can take 4.

This external opening mechanism also comprises three rotary cylindrical locking rings 15, 16, 17, arranged concentrically and housed between the skirt 5 and the body 2. Each of these rings 15, 16, 17 is applied against the upper face of the 'recess of the body 2 by a brake constituted by a tubular part 18, 19, respectively 20, each subjected to the action of a spring. The contact surface between each ring and the corresponding tubular part is conical, so that self-centering of the rings is obtained simultaneously. The lower edge of the tubular parts 18, 19, 20 rests on a washer 21, and is angularly integral with the latter by a finger 22 penetrating into a notch.

Thus, the tubular parts are maintained in a determined angular position relative to the body 2. The thickness of these parts you bular 18, 19, 20 is slightly greater than that of the locking rings 15, 16, 17, so that the latter can center correctly and that the friction faces between the locking rings are eliminated.

Each locking ring 15, 16, 17 has a peripheral notch 23, 24, 25. The angular extent of these notches is different, the shortest being, in the example shown, made in the ring 15 and the longest in the socket 17.

Each of the rings 15, 16, 17 has, on its upper edge, a notch whose width corresponds to the thickness of the latch 8.

The locking rings 15, 16, 17 are driven in rotation using a pin 26 secured to the skirt 5 and extending through the three notches 23, 24, 25.

The position of the notches on the free edge of the rings 15, 16, 17 and the length of the notches 23, 24, 25 define the combination of the external opening device of the lock.

To unlock the external opening device described, the user turns the button 4 one turn in a determined direction, which aims to place the pin 26 against one of the ends of each notch 23, 24, 25 , which ensures that the rings are driven. The user continues to turn the button 4 in the same direction, until he perceives the first snap of the finger 13 in the teeth 12 after the non-toothed part of the bottom of the skirt 5. He then turns the button a number of notches corresponding to the first digit of the combination, thus bringing the ring 17 into its open position for which its notch is located opposite the latch 8.

The user then turns knob 4 in the opposite direction, counting a number of notches corresponding to the second digit of the combination. In doing so, the pin travels through the notches 23, 24 and comes into contact with the other ends to drive the rings 15, 16 in rotation in the opposite direction, which places the lage lock ring 16 in its open position for which its notch faces the lock 8. It should be noted that the height of the rings 16, 17 is slightly less than that ring 15 and skirt 5; thus, during their rotation, they are not in contact with the latch 8, so that their open position cannot be detected by touch or using a stethoscope.

The user then turns the button 4 in the direct direction (as for the first movement) by a number of notches corresponding to the third digit of the combination and thus places, by driving the ring 15 by the pin 26, the third ring 15 in its open position for which its notch faces the lock 8. Finally, the user turns the button 4 in the opposite direction on a number of notches corresponding to the fourth digit of the combination and places the notch 6, 7 of the skirt 5 to the right of the lock 8. Thus, the notches of the rings 15, 16, 17 and the notch 6, 7 of the skirt 5 are lined and located opposite the lock 8.

It should be noted that when a ring is placed in the desired angular position, it is held in this position using its brake, applying it against the body 2 during the rotation of the other rings.

The interior opening device of the lock is substantially similar to the exterior opening device which has just been described. It comprises a second operating button 27 concentric with the button 4 connected to a skirt 28 by two pins 29. The upper edge of this skirt 28 has a rectangular notch 30 with a width equal to the thickness of the lock 8 and identical to the notches rings 15, 16 and 17. This second opening device also includes three concentric locking rings having peripheral cuts and subjected to the action of individual brakes identical to those of the first opening device. The two rings of smaller diameter, those which are placed first in the open position, are lower than the skirt and the second ring, so that their upper edge is not in contact with the lower surface of the lock, which again prevents detection of the combination using a stethoscope. A pin 31, integral with the skirt 28, extends through the notches of the three concentric rings, and allows them to be placed in the open position using the button 27 in the same way as the position in the open position. rings 15, 16, 17 using button 4.

The bottom of the skirt 28 has a toothing cooperating with a finger 32 subjected to the action of a spring, thus making it possible to define the different angular positions of the skirt 28.

When the six rings and the two skirts of two opening devices are in the open position, the lock 8 enters the notches and releases a plate 33 which has a notch 34 cooperating with the lock 8 when the latter is in the retracted position, not engaged in the notches of the locking rings.

This plate 33 is integral in rotation with a bolt actuation device 35, 36, here comprising studs 37, 38 integral with a cylinder of a cylinder lock 39 integral with the body 2, for example screwed onto it Ci using screws, and the key opening is accessible through the button 27. The user can then, by inserting the key 40 in this cylinder lock, rotate the pins 37, 38 and drive the bolts 35, 36 by slots 41, 42, then 43, 44 that have the bolts. These bolts are thus brought together and release the shutter which can be removed from the front of the trunk.

It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, the finger 32 is integral with a stirrup, the branches of which are engaged in holes made in the cylinder lock 39.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lock therefore comprises two independent opening devices, each comprising four locking rings. Such a lock therefore comprises an eight-digit combination. In addition, this lock also comprises a cylinder which can also include four to eight worm members rusting. Thus, the number of possible combinations with such a lock is of the order of several trillions.

In a simplified variant of the lock, the latter could include, in place of the cylinder 39, a button secured to the plate 33, its locking would then be ensured only by the two opening devices actuated by the buttons 4 and 27 .

To close the lock, the shutter is put in place, then the bolts 35, 36 are moved aside using the cylinder key 39 or a button. Then, the user turns the knob 4, which drives the skirt in rotation, and by the cams 7 of the notch 6, causes the lock 8 to move against its spring 9. This lock 8 enters the notch 34 of the plate 33 and locks it angularly. The user then turns the button 4 by one turn, then the button 27 also by one turn, which angularly displaces, in a different manner, the skirt 28 and the six locking rings, thus scrambling the combination.

In another simplified variant, the lock may include a cylinder lock and a single opening device having a number of concentric locking rings.

Figs. 6 to 10 illustrate another embodiment of the combination lock according to the invention. In this version, different locking members are actuated using the same manipulation button or button for selecting the combination figures. This embodiment makes it possible to reduce the lateral size of the lock while presenting the same guarantees of security and simplicity.

The lock shown comprises a fixed frame constituted by a cylindrical body 101, on which is engaged a part 102 err in the form of a ferrule, bearing on an external flange 101a of the body 101. The ferrule 102 is fixed to the flange 101a by screws 103 and is engaged in a leaf 104, for example the door of a safe. The frame of the lock further comprises a ring 105 having a projection annular 105a whose two axial faces, designated by 106 and 107 are frustoconical, and which has, on its edge, a notch 108 in which is engaged a radial finger 109 (fig. 6) driven into the body 101, which thus makes the ring 105 angularly integral with the latter. A ferrule 110, held on the body 101 by a sliding finger 111 returned by a spring 112, holds the ring 105 in place on the body 101.

The body 101 is pierced with a central hole 113 crossed by a cylinder 114 serving for the action, using a bar 115, of the bolt of a lock mechanism not shown, fixed on the internal face designated by 116 of the leaf 104. This cylinder 114 is intended to be controlled by a key 117 engaging in a sleeve 118 mounted on the external end of the cylinder 114, of which it is made integral by a radial finger 119. A ball 120 s' engages, when the key 117 is turned, in a cavity 121 thereof, to prevent the key from being withdrawn when the shaft 114 occupies an angular position different from that shown in FIG. 6, in which the ball 120 is situated opposite a cavity 122 formed in the body 101. A ferrule 123, screwed onto the internal end of the shaft 114, prevents the latter from leaving the body 101.

The body 101 carries a radial finger 124 subjected to the action of a return spring 125, which tends to push it outwards and which, when it is moved inwards against the action of the spring 125, engages in a blind hole 126 formed in the shaft 114 to block the latter angularly. The finger 124 thus constitutes an element of a stop device, the other element of which is constituted by a plate 127 shown in detail in FIG. 9, which has the general shape of a triangle and which is housed in a radial clearance formed in the ring 105 in line with the shoulder 105a thereof. This plate 127 has two ribs 127a in the form of a cylinder mantle, sliding radially in the ring 105. It acts, by its base, on the locking finger 124 of the cylinder 114.

The mechanism of the lock described and shown comprises two games locking rings in the form of sleeves, located in the extension of one another. The first set comprises two rings 128 and 129, and the second two rings 130 and 131, all these rings being coaxial with the axis of the lock and the two rings of the same set being engaged one on the other . The ring 130 is shown in detail in FIG. 10. The edge of each ring facing the rings of the other set, indicated at 132 in fig. 6 is a conical section, the sections 132 of the rings of the same set being located substantially on the same cone coat and being in abutment, as regards the rings 128 and 129 of the first set, on the frustoconical side face 106 of the shoulder 105a of the ring 105 and, as far as the rings 130 and 131 of the second set are concerned, on the frustoconical face 107 of this shoulder 105a. The inclined faces of the stop plate 127, designated by 133, are parallel to the generatrices of the frustoconical edges 132 of the locking rings.

In order to prevent the rings 128 to 131 from turning unexpectedly, a slight friction is produced on them by axial springs 134, of which only those of the rings 130 and 131 are visible on the sin (fig. 6), acting on the rings via brake rings 135. Fingers 136 prevent the brake rings from rotating on themselves. The frustoconical edge 132 of each ring 128 to 131 has a notch 137 which must be brought opposite the stop piece 127 so that it can occupy the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the cylinder 114 is released whereas, when any one of the rings 128 to 131 occupies a different angular position, the stop piece 127 is maintained in the locking position shown in FIG. 8, in which the cylinder 114 is blocked by the finger 124.

In order to allow the rings 128 to 131 to be angularly displaced, the lock comprises a rotary control button 138 interposed between the ferrules 102 and 110, and with which a ball 139 cooperates subject to the action of a return spring 140, s 'engaging in notches 141 (fig. 7) of the control button, which constitutes a jumper intended to ensure the stability of these different angular positions of said button. A sector of the command button will however be devoid of notches to allow the user of the lock to know the zero point by sound and tactile sense, and to operate the lock even at night. The internal face of the button also has a clearance 142 visible in particular in FIG. 7, which gives passage to the stop piece 127 so that the latter can only occupy its position for releasing the cylinder 114 for a single angular position of the button 138. The latter carries an internal cleat 143 engaged in notches 144 formed in the rings 128 and 129, these notches 144 extending over different angular values for each of the said rings. Entrance 144a, provided in the rings

128 and 129, allows the engagement of the stopper 143 in the notches 144. The button 138 carries, at its anterior end, a ring 145 fixed by axial screws 146, which itself carries a stopper 147 engaged, by entries 144a , in the notches 144 of the rings 130 and 131, these notches being of different angular values for these two rings and different from those of the notches of the other two rings.

A frustoconical surface 148 presented by the button 138 is provided with identification signs, for example numbers, while a frustoconical surface 149 of the ferrule 102 has an index cooperating with the identification means of the button, which allows the Lock user to control the angular position of the button.

When the lock is closed, the locking device 124-127 of the cylinder 114 is in the working position shown in FIG. 8, in which it is held by the locking rings 128 to

131 on the one hand, and by the cam that constitutes the internal face of the button 138 on the other hand. It should be noted that the button 138 maintains the part 127 at a very slight distance from the frustoconical edge

132 of the locking rings, so that it is not possible for the user, when he turns the locking rings using the button 138, to "feel" the open position of the rings, the latter not being in contact with the stop piece 127.

By successive rotations in one direction or the other of the bou tone 138, the user successively brings the rings 128 to 131, controlled by the lugs 143 and 147, into the angular position in which their notch 137 is located opposite the stop piece 127. It then suffices to bring the button 138 in the position in which the cavity 142 of the latter is located opposite the stop piece 127, so that the latter and the stop finger 124, under the action of the return spring 125, move radially outwards and come into the position shown in figs. 6 and 7, in which the cylinder 114 is released.

Alternatively, the edge of the locking rings, facing the rings of the opposite set, may not be frustoconical as in the example described and shown, but flat. In this case, the stop piece 127 will not have a generally triangular, but rectangular shape.

By also varying, provision may be made for the case where the lock will comprise more than two sets of locking rings situated in the extension of one another, and more than one stop device cooperating with the control shaft, each device d 'stop being interposed between two sets of locking rings.

Still alternatively, the control key actuating the cylinder 114 may be replaced by a button carried by the latter.

Alternatively also, the stop piece 127, instead of moving radially towards the center to occupy its working position, can move radially outwards, in which case the cylinder 114 will be replaced by an annular piece located at the outside the stopper. Likewise, the control cylinder 114 could be replaced by an axis which, instead of being coaxial with the lock, would be disposed laterally with respect to the latter. In this case, the stopper 127 would also act radially outward to lock the control cylinder.

Claims

claims

1. Combination lock, in particular for a safe, characterized in that it comprises a frame which is fixed in a leaf, a rotary member actuating at least one bolt for closing said leaf, a stop device, movable radially with respect to said rotary member for actuating the bolt and which is capable of occupying two positions, one eclipsed in which the rotary member for actuation is free to rotate, and the other for working in which it cooperates with the rotary member actuation to block it, and locking members of the stop device keeping it in its position this work, these locking members being constituted by coaxial rotary rings having, on their edge, a notch having to be located opposite said stop device so that it can move freely from its eclipsed position to its working position and vice versa; these rings being furthermore provided with clearances giving passage to at least one control lug which can be actuated manually, which makes it possible to bring them into their position for releasing the stop piece, said clearances being of different dimensions so that, according to the amplitude of the movement given to the control lug, a different number of said rings is then actuated.

2. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary member for actuating the bolt is constituted by the key of a lock cylinder.

3. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary member of the bolt is constituted by a button.

4. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that each locking ring is subjected to the action of a brake constituted by a tubular piece subjected to the action of a spring tending to apply said locking ring against a face support.

5. Lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the contact surface between a rotary locking ring and its brake is conical, ensuring self-centering of the locking rings.

6. Lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner locking ring is integral with the actuating member of the bolt on either side of its notch of the ramps forming a cam.

7. Lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the notches of the locking rings communicate with notches having a variable angular opening, the ring having the largest notch being arranged in such a way that the corresponding front edge provided with the The notch is set back from a plane passing through the front edges of the other locking rings.

8. Lock according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises at least two sets of locking rings, each set can respectively be coupled directly and / or via at least one control lug with a selector button coa xial to the cylinder of the lock.

9. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two bolts sliding relative to one another and cooperating with pins fixed to the cylinder by means of slots.

10. Lock according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one latching device secured to a selector button and cooperating with a toothing provided on a cylindrical surface of the cylinder of the lock and / or of the interior button, this device being arranged to ensure the stability of the angular positions of said button.

11. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that said rings are distributed in at least two sets of at least two rings each, the rings of a set being engaged one on the other and the two sets being located in the extension of one another, on either side of the stop device, the notch of each ring being formed in its edge facing the rings of the other set.

12. Lock according to claim 11, characterized in that the lug locking ring control is secured to an annular control button, coaxial with the rotary actuating member.

13. Lock according to claim 12, characterized in that the control button for the locking rings has its inner face shaped so as to constitute a cam acting on the stop device of the actuating member, so as to maintain this device in the working position or to release it to allow it to occupy its eclipsed position, the arrangement being such that said stop device is only released for a predetermined succession of angular positions of the control button.

14. Lock according to claim 11, characterized in that the edge of the locking rings of a set facing the rings of the other set is frustoconical, the frustoconical faces of the rings of the same set being located substantially on the same cone coat, the stopper having the shape of a plate having two converging edges whose inclination is such that they are parallel to a generator of the cone coats of the two sets of banded.

15. Lock according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises more than two sets of locking rings and more than one stop device, each stop device being arranged between two sets of locking members.

16. Lock according to claims 12 and 15, characterized in that it comprises as many control lugs as there are sets of rings, these control lugs being carried by a single control button.